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Chocolate-Covered Song of the Day (and an interminably-long email)

New blog feature: Chocolate-Covered Song of the Day.

Nothing to do with food, but it has to do with another one of my loves—music. The idea for the second new blog feature came about thanks to an email I received from a blog reader (thanks, Allison, for letting me share your email on my blog). Her email:
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Hey Katie,
I read your blog every day and I love it. But I thought I’d send you an email because I have about a million questions for you. Sorry in advance for so many questions! I know you said you are a runner. I’m really trying to get into it, because I know it’s good for me, but I get so bored! Is it just because I’m new to it and it’ll get more fun? Do you like running, or is it a “chore” you hate doing but do anyway? And do you run every day? I especially get bored on the treadmill. Do you always run outside or do you ever use the treadmill and if you do how do you make treadmill workouts fun? I’d be really interested to know what kinds of songs you listen to on your ipod if you use one. What songs are good motivators that keep you wanting to run? Thanks so much, and keep up with the blogging
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My response: Hey Allison, Thanks so much for reading my blog, and don’t worry at all about asking too many questions! I love getting emails with lots of questions (actually, I just love getting emails, period).
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I wish I could guarantee that running will someday become as fun for you as it is for me, but I know a lot of people have given it a fair shot and still say running isn’t for them. So I guess it’s just a personal thing. Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to like running to be healthy! There are so many other ways to get exercise, and if you decide you really can’t stomach running, there’s always yoga, walking, biking, tennis, and on and on. But I’m thinking that, no matter what, as you get more in shape, it’ll get easier and you won’t feel like you’re dying on every run. I’ll tell you how I started out, in case you want to start out that way too, but it’s definitely not the only way to build your fitness level (and I’m nowhere near an expert, so it might not even be the best way; it’s just what worked for me). When I first wanted to start running again (I ran in high school, but stopped for a while—long story, on which I’ll expound later in this email), I started out by just walking the whole time. Then, after a few weeks, I would run for four minutes, walk for two, and repeat that cycle for the duration of the time I exercised. Gradually, the running intervals got longer and longer, until suddenly I found myself not needing to take walking breaks at all. Don’t expect this to happen overnight… or even after a few weeks; building up fitness takes time.
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Running is actually something I look forward to doing—I doubt I’d have been able to stick with it if it felt like a chore, because I’m really bad with chores (just ask my mom about my aversion to doing laundry). It’s a really great time to get my thoughts in order. And I have a wild imagination, so I love to pretend I’m on an adventure when I run. Especially when running outside, I imagine that the houses I pass are castles, or caves, or mountains… it all depends on what adventure I’m on that day. (You’re probably thinking I’m totally insane…)
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Actually,  treadmill-running doesn’t have to be so bad (and now you’ll think I’m even more insane. Maybe I should’ve stopped this email long ago). I like running outside in most conditions—cold, hot, windy, etc. But not rain (nor ice). I feel healthy and good about myself when I’m surrounded by people who are also being healthy at the gym. Plus, the atmosphere is so competitively charged; it’s an adrenaline rush to be running next to a fit-looking man and see that: Hey, I’m actually going faster than that guy! (Of course, there’s no hope for me in the weight room; my 10lb dumbbells will never match up to the behemoth things that others lift.) And even though there aren’t any houses to pass, you can still work your imagination whilst running on a treadmill. To all of you who have ever run on a treadmill beside me: I am sorry to inform you that you have probably been transformed into Bugs Bunny, Elvis, a giant broccoli stalk, etc. in my imagination at some point.

Honestly? I hate treadmill-running, despite all of this. The gym might be fun, but the actual act of running on a machine? I’d just rather be outside!

No, I don’t run every day– I run about 5 days per week. Although I miss it on the days I take off, I know it’s important to give one’s body time to recover; I can’t expect my body to go go go all the time without giving it rest. When I first got into running, in high school, I didn’t give my body proper recovery time.

If you’re interested, I briefly touch on what happened when I did too much exercise sans rest.
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The #1 thing I like about running: There’s only one criterion for being part of the group—that you put one leg in front of the other and run. Exclusive groups are no fun; they can make you feel really bad about yourself. But to be called a “runner” you don’t need an expensive gym membership or a fancy pair of sneakers, and there’s no requirement as to how many miles you need to run per week or how many marathons you need to finish. On to the fun part (not that me turning people into Bugs Bunny wasn’t fun…).
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I don’t always bring my ipod with me when I run, because sometimes it’s nice to be alone with one’s thoughts. At other times, though, it’s nice to rock out to fun music. I seriously doubt you want me to tell you every single song on my running playlist, but you’ve given me an idea: In some of my future blog posts, I’ll list a “song of the day” that really motivated me on the particular day. Starting with…

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Chocolate-Covered Song of the Day
Break My Stride
(Ace of Base)
.Gotta start with one that relates to running. And now I’ll send the question out into the blogosphere (because, just like Allison, I’d love to know what songs get people pumped up). Anyone else have some good power songs to recommend?

Chocolate-Covered Meal of the Day

Today, I bring you lunch (on some snazzy new plates).

From the left, we have a sweet organic orange and a Rudi’s English muffin. The right plate boasts baked tofu (marinated in soy sauce), tomato soup, and broiled purple cabbage with garlic. I just recently discovered the amazingness that is broiling veggies, and now I’m obsessed!

My next post is about chocolate…

Published on January 8, 2009

Meet Katie

Chocolate Covered Katie is one of the top 25 food websites in America, and Katie has been 
featured on The 
Today Show, CNN, 
Fox, The 
Huffington Post, and 
ABC's 5 O’Clock News. Her favorite food is chocolate, and she believes in eating dessert every single day.

Learn more about Katie

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36 Comments

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  1. Fitnessista says

    what a fabulous post! haha i used to love ace of base back in the day
    i’m hoping one day i’ll love running as much as you.. it’s getting better, but it’s still not my fave
    hope you have a wonderful night and i’m looking forward to your next post about chocolate..

  2. magpie says

    great post! i love to hear about everyone’s history and motivation and what they like to do. I love walking 🙂 and sometimes I run, but walking is my favorite.

    can’t wait for chocolate…… 😀

  3. Kiki says

    Wonderful! I love all the new features! Thanks for the info on running, I was thinking of trying it when it gets warmer.

    Looking forward to the chocolate!

  4. ConsiderEatz! says

    What an awesome post! You are too funny!
    I like the "Q&A", I love to hear more about you! Cant wait for the chocolate 🙂

  5. Erin of Care to Eat says

    It’s great that you posted this Katie! I don’t think I’ll ever understand how people feel joy while running, which is why it fascinates me. 🙂 I love your crazy imagination. It’s hilarious! It must be fun to be you.
    You’re good to your readers. 🙂

  6. shelby says

    I love the post Katie! And I totally am with you on the switching to WordPress thing, I’m just nervous that my blog will totally vanish or no one will find it!

    You are so cute with your running stories/motivations. I love it. hehe

    Great idea for the song of the day!

  7. Ricki says

    Wow, what a great reference source for runners! And what a lovely response to your email question. 🙂

    Love those plates–they look handcrafted; are they?

  8. Kate says

    Now THIS is a post for me! I’ve been reading your blog for a while but I was too shy to comment:P I figured if I’m going to start my own blog it’s probably a good idea to let people know I exist and I’ve been creeping on your blogs! Music is a major passion of mine too! I haven’t heard that song (downloading now). I go back and forth b/w old rock favorites (rolling stones-sympathy for the devil) and my new favorite: Single Ladies. Beyonce is always fab.

  9. herbstsonne says

    Such gorgeous plates! 😀 And I too really miss running on my days off. I can’t wait for the sun to start coming up early again so I feel more motivated to get up in the morning! It’s hard to get out of bed when it’s dark and cold outside!

  10. Brooke says

    i love the new additions to ccv! and your imagination always makes me smile katie 😀 (now i don't feel crazy too!)

    i second the Q&A posts!

  11. shellyfish says

    As a running-obsessed vegan on the IR list, I say WOOOT for running! I also love it, and it is such a part of my day I feel incomplete if I don’t get to run…it’s like brushing my teeth or taking a shower – part of my day.

  12. Amira says

    i love your post, and your e-mail was so great! (hahaha bugs bunny, that was funny!) anyway At the moment I’m listening to supermassive black hole by muse when I’m running (and yes that is due to the Twilight movie, but it’s also an awsome song!) but I also love the eye of the tiger or highway to hell, oh and the rocky theme is my favorite, it totally motivates me to run faster and harder, i feel like i’m in the movie!
    I love the new blog feature, oh and your lunch looks scrumptious too, purple cabbage rocks but I’ve never tried broiled vegies- must do.

  13. Lance says

    Hi Katie,
    Great stuff you have here! I like to run, and one of the reasons is something you touched upon – being able to really think and clear my mind. I do this biking too. So, sometimes I listen to music, sometimes I don’t. I definitely prefer running outside. One song that really gets me pumped up is “Moneytalks” by AC/DC. (I don’t listen to that when I’m trying to clear my head!).

    So, imagining people as broccoli stalks? Interesting, indeed!!

  14. Sal says

    When I used to go to my old gym, they only had one CD and the song I always used to put on when I was on the cross trainer was Get Away by Maxx – such a cheesy 90s dance song but it has a great hook that got me going! haha. Of course those were the days before I was too lazy to go to the gym, sigh.

    blogger is being really annoying lately – it bunches my paragraphs together and it takes FOREVER to upload pictures. I find that if you do Shift + Return (instead of just return) for a new paragraph, it seems to put the break in. Weird!

  15. Virginia says

    oooh, i can’t wait to see the chocolate!

    i want to get into running, but with kids, school, housework…i just never seem to make the time! i am going to try to work harder at it, i have a treadmill at home. =/

  16. Lauren says

    Love the purple cabbage! So gorgeous! I need to make it one day! 🙂

    Looking forward to the chocolate post..yum!

  17. DJ says

    I’d love to give running a go too – but I think I’m definitely going to start out just walking!
    I love your meal of the day – so colourful!!

  18. Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter) says

    Ha – this post made me laugh…bugs bunny…stalks of broccoli – too funny.

    My favorite workout songs these days is Mercy by Duffy. I’ve been running to it for months, but I’m not sick of it yet. It can really get me revved up for a good sprint!

    Can’t wait for your chocolate post!

    PS – Great guest post on Mizfit today!

  19. Jen aka Jewbacca says

    this was a nice post. i’m not a fan of running, but i do like to exercise. mostly walking, dancing, and body sculpt by gilad. he’s fitness guru who has a show on fit t.v., he aires his program from hawaii. i love him because he reminds me of that old SNL skit “hans and frans” rolled up into one person. he’s the israelli richard simmons.

  20. Tamara says

    Great post! I wanted to also suggest the ‘Couch to 5k’ program for anyone who wants to get started with running. It is a 9 week program where you walk and run but increase the running amount each week, and by the end of 9 weeks you are running 3 miles. 🙂

  21. Jessie says

    Great advice about running. It really does help to let your mind wander and imagine different things rather than think of each step you take. I thought I was the only one who listens to Muse when I run, but another poster mentioned them too. As for your food, it looks great as usual, but I am waiting for that chocolate!

  22. dietbook says

    You know, I’m just starting to become a runner – I’m probably at the “one minute at a time” stage, though I don’t keep track – but I have found a few songs that make it SO much more fun. I love “Shake It” by Metro Station and “Animals” by Nickelback, just for the beat and the energy…”Hot and Cold” by Katy Perry is good, too, though a little slow.

    V.

  23. vegetalion says

    seriously, no matter how exhausted I am on a run, if I hear “eye of the tiger,” I feel like a champion.

    That and Karma Chameleon. I’m not proud… ^_^;

  24. Aimee says

    I loved this post about your creative runs 🙂 I am much more of a treadmill runner in the winter because it is always dark and gross when I can run, so I am always looking around at the people I can try to race.

  25. I ♥ puggies says

    We have a lot in common. We’re the same age and I ran in high school too! I have always jogged ever since but I have recently discovered swimming and I don’t know if I ever want to go back to being just a runner.

  26. Emma the Eco-Princess! says

    I love this post, and song of the day is such a good idea! I love to work out to Fall Out Boy, I find their music really gets me going for some reason. Makes me think of gigs and parties, which then makes me work even harder so I can look even better when I do go to a gig or party! lol but my workout of choice is actually swimming so I can’t listen to my ipod in the pool but I wouldn’t anyway. I love being alone with my thoughts when I’m swimming. Just me and the water… It’s so peaceful and serene, I love it.

  27. River says

    Music! Working out without music would be such a drag. But cleaning without music would be even worse! My favorite song to listen to while I do the dreading cleaning? Tina Turner’s live version of Proud Mary! The one from Diva’s Live with Cher and Elton John is the absolute best power song!

  28. jane says

    This may be a really dumb question, but how do you broil veggies? I mean I suppose you use the broil setting on the oven but how long do you broil for? And do you need to put oil in the pan to prevent sticking at all?
    I’m always looking for new ways to prepare veggies 🙂
    Which veggies are best broiled?
    Thanks!

  29. Tricia says

    Omigosh, i love using my imagination when running too! Only i pretend i’m flying or a superheroine racing to the scene of the crime. Lame, i know lol.

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